The session sparked lively debate among students, with Jennifer's timely insights generating valuable discussion on how we can responsibly harness AI technology in government services.

Many thanks Jennifer!!

She then delved into the complexities of risk assessment for chatbots currently deployed—or referenced—in Ireland's newly released Guidelines for the Responsible Use of AI in the Irish Public Services.

Jennifer explored the use of large language models and chatbots in the public sector, breaking down LLM architecture and examining the implications of the EU AI Act

The researcher will be involved in designing & implementing research that improves transparency & accountability and will particularly focus on uncovering & critically examining the integration procurement & governance practices of generative AI in government functions and public service operations.

Duration: 2 years fixed-time position
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a 2-year, in-person, full-time fixed term position.

Read more about AURA, and how it will be used by researchers @gmeaney.bsky.social, Aonghus Lawlor, Brian Mac Namee, and @andrewhines.bsky.social in this @siliconrepublic.bsky.social report:

www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/uni...

The €724,000 computer will be used to further develop current and new AI-led work projects, marking UCD's exceptional status across Irish univeristies:
"URA’s additional compute capacity makes UCD the most powerful Irish university campus in terms of AI and high-performance computing capacity."

Read the executive summary of the report at Uplift, People Powered Change:
www.uplift.ie/neutrality-f...
Read Colin Sheridan’s response on The Examiner:
irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41728299.html

With Ireland being the world’s second largest importer of Israeli goods in 2024, the question of Irish neutrality and the country’s relationship to the U.S. and ongoing foreign policies raises significant red flags.

"This government is using its strategic position to strengthen US foreign policy priorities and, in the process, weaken Irish neutrality and push for greater militarisation.”

“The research uncovers how the prioritisation of US corporate interests, via trade, foreign direct investment and economic planning has resulted in a dramatic increase in trade with Israel in recent years and the sidelining of hugely popular policy proposals such as the Occupied Territories Bill."

The first volume of this report, “The Price of Prosperity - How US FDI Is Enabling Genocide in Gaza and Eroding Our Neutrality,” highlights Ireland’s economic dependence on U.S. multinationals, and the threat to Ireland’s neutral position:

A number of potential thesis topics were raised in this session, including the interpretation of the ‘average data subject’ across EU member states. We look forward to a student hopefully further developing this piece. Thanks Ian and Derek!